Rudylynn De Four Roberts, TTIA, is a Trinidadian Architect with a love for old buildings and Historic Restoration. She is a director of De Four Farmer & Associates Ltd. and was a visiting lecturer at several Institutes including the Caribbean School of Architecture. As the former head of the Trinidad and Tobago Government Historic Restoration Unit she was responsible for monitoring government restoration projects, and advising government regarding preservation issues. She was kind enough to take some time to do an interview with Architecture Caribbean; we hope you enjoy this opportunity to get to know more about Rudylynn and her experience in Historic Restoration. We also feature one of her Projects, the Restoration of a church in Tortuga, Trinidad.

RDR: I studied at Howard University. Washington DC. USA

RDR: I come from a family of Engineers and Architects. My father was a Civil and an Electrical Engineer. He established the first locally owned engineering consultancy practice in Trinidad & Tobago.  I myself was an artist and my Dad encouraged me to study Architecture like his brother and cousin.

RDR: I enjoy lecturing, and speaking to students about historic Architectural Patrimony. I suppose I could always go back to Art.

RDR: I graduated from Howard University in 1974.

RDR: My first job was in Alexandria Virginia. I did the usual as a new graduate, working drawings for design architects, I also did site planning and landscaping drawings.   My first architectural design job was the Restoration of a 200 year old Lutheran Church. It was an adaptive re-use. We converted it into a community theatre.  I was responsible for doing the design, the drawings, and the specs….everything.

RDR:I realized that I loved restoration, and I began what was to become my life’s vocation. My appreciation of historic architecture came from my love of History and seeing my Grandfather’s buildings. He was a builder and joiner. In his early days he built houses with Fretwork and stained glass. I loved to watch the sun pouring through the fretwork creating patterns on the floor and walls; and the coloured glass always fascinated me.  When I was a child, Port of Spain looked like a miniature New Orleans.

RDR: Creating spaces that conform firstly to the user’s needs ….and using shape, colour, art and craftsmanship to make the spaces comfortable, pleasing and efficient.

RDR: The biggest inspirations in my career are my father and the late Trinidadian architect, Anthony C. Lewis. My father Fenrick De Four, for his support, encouragement and example. He felt strongly about ethics in the workplace, serving and contributing to nation building, and supporting local enterprise. Anthony Lewis was an architect, planner and artist, who established the first local architectural consultancy in Trinidad and Tobago. His firm is responsible for many of the landmark buildings in Port of Spain.

RDR: Internationally - Frank Lloyd Wright, architect, interior designer, writer and educator. I admire his ability to use Nature as inspiration in his organic designs. In 1991 the AIA declared Wright “The greatest American Architect of all time” Locally- Anthony C. Lewis who was an architect whose concepts  expressed an organic and environmentally friendly architecture. He used sunlight, flora and fauna as inspiration in his designs. As an architect he was always conscious of creating a living space for optimum human comfort and visual stimulation. This was reflected in his use of the natural elements and indigenous materials.

RDR: Heritage conservation, preservation and restoration deals with the retention of older buildings and sites. Tasks can range from minimal work to stabilize and protect a building or site, to major repairs designed to return a building to its original state or adapt it to a new or modern use.

RDR: I have always loved history. As a child I liked historically based novels and movies….I still do. Old buildings are puzzles to be solved……they come from an era where craftsmanship was prized; Architecture was an art as much as a science.  Being artistic myself I am fascinated by the detailing and the love that was put into creating these structures. From old buildings we can trace the technological and sociological advances of our villages, towns and cities. Old buildings are windows to the past …they are learning tools, they are history we can feel and touch.

RDR: In preservation and restoration, an architect cannot impose his creativity and design concepts, he must replace like with like, and follow the inspiration of the original design architect or craftsman.

RDR: The development of an entire historic district, with restored buildings, adapted for light commercial use, combined with residential. Developing a historic neighborhood really, Port of Spain…Belmont or the Victoria Sq. district would be ideal for this.

RDR: We have completed the design stage and are awaiting client approval to proceed with construction. We did surveys to establish the state of dilapidation, materials testing, established a brief from the client, prepared designs and working drawings, selected finishes and equipment.

RDR: The building is to be adapted to a protocol house, for visiting dignitaries. Not difficult since it was originally a home. The challenge is to replace the damaged detailing and allow for modern conveniences and universal access.

RDR: The castle project is not completed, construction has not started. In general the construction phase is the most challenging in a restoration. You never know what you will find until you start taking things apart. It is an exercise in discovery. During the restoration of Queen’s Royal College, in removing paint from the walls we discovered frescos, painted as dado paneling in all the classrooms. Amazing!!!!

RDR: Other than the usual Architectural magazines, internet and books, I enjoy visiting old cities, Where ever I travel, from Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada , China., my first priority is to visit the historic districts, the museums, and landmarks. I am always curious about their restoration programs, and successes.

RDR: I think it is sad that you cannot tell what part of the world a building is in anymore. We have become so universal that tradition, culture and local conditions seem to no longer apply.

RDR: Perfect? No such thing. But I do have some favourite spots. Independence Square. Woodford square historic district, Victoria Square Historic district and areas in Belmont.

RDR: I love to dance!  I read to relax.

RDR: Rhythm is the swaying of the coconut trees, chipping down the road to steelband music on Jouvert morning, the pattern of the rooflines along Belmont Circular rd…..the cast iron fences …..the fishing nets laid out to dry….the waves on the beach, the patterns made by the fretwork as the sun pours through.

RDR: An admirable project, with lots of scope. Although we are all from the Caribbean islands, there is so much diversity in culture and architecture. From earthquake prone Trinidad to islands in the hurricane belt…………Our colonial heritage is varied and each old world intervention has left its indelible mark. Cuba – Spanish heritage; Barbados- British heritage; Curacao- Dutch; Martinique and Guadeloupe –French and Trinidad and Tobago a pleasant mix up of French, English, African and East Indian Heritage resulting in our eclectic architecture.